WEEK 6 REVIEW: Round-up of all the league and county cup action from the weekend

SENIOR DIVISION

It’s Hatch Lane leading the way at the top of the standings by five points as they enhanced their credentials for a title tilt with a thumping 9-0 win on Sunday against London Mavericks. Hat-tricks from Lucio Vare and Daniel Rudolph paved the way with Dane Blair, Dominic Stephens and Kevin Bondjanga on target for the hosts who maintained their great start.

Baiteze Squad got back to winning ways in stunning style after their reverse last time out as they took maximum points from their home fixture against Alliance Stars in Chigwell. That saw Baiteze move to seven points in the table and within five of the leaders going into the second month of the season.

Sitting third by the virtue of goal difference only, East Way Athletic continued their fine start to the new campaign recording a second win of the season as they saw off the efforts of Secret in Leyton. That result sees them stay in touching distance of the two sides above as they seek to mount a title challenge of their own.

PREMIER DIVISION

Just two points separate the sides from first to sixth in the second tier where Brook Athletic now lead the way at the top of the table after recording their third win in three this season, defeating fellow challengers Barking & Dagenham Wanderers in a 9-1 scoreline. Samir Bihmoutine scored a hat-trick, Ish Raymond and Liam Adams both scored twice with Justin Clarke and Prince Alozie grabbing the others in a resounding win.

Flyhouse Athletic are up to second after they scooped a third win in four on Sunday with a victory on the road against Belfry in the Forest Road derby. Tom Harvey struck for the hosts but his efforts were not quite enough as Gbemi Olokun and Warren James goals earned Athletic a narrow 2-1 win at Fairlop Oak.

Barking Riverside will be pleased with their efforts so far this season and, despite an early defeat, have responded well with three league wins since, taking their tally to nine points on Sunday with a home win against Avintul at Castle Green. Dumitras Olari struck for the visitors but River goals from Dami Edun and Joshua Thompson were enough to edge it 2-1.

Also sitting handily placed in the top four, East Stars kept up their solid start to the season as they recorded win number two to move onto eight points. They were up against Kulture Klub in Barkingside and had two goals from Joshua Adu and one each from Amod Adeyemi and Daniel Amoah to thank as Stars won 4-1.

DIVISION ONE

In Division One, there was a terrific victory for Chingford Athletic who have moved third in the standings on the back of a big 11-2 win at home against Ultimate Vision. Connor Brathwaite scored four, Josh Flood bagged a hat-trick and one apiece from Maxwell Marshall, Ronan McGoldrick, Jack Newbury-Neale and Sebastian Gardiner finished things off.

The leaders were also in action as Oceana made the trip to east London to take on AC Milano and were able to secure victory to extend their perfect start. Oceana were 5-0 winners on the day at West Ham Park to make it five consecutive wins while AC Milano remain eight in the standings going into the second week of the season.

DIVISION TWO

As is the case with a number of divisions, Division Two is very tight at the top where Eastbrook United hold a grip on top spot by one point following a draw on Sunday as they were held to a 1-1 scoreline by fellow challengers, St Augustines, in Highams Park. Ed Shepherd-Bowman netted for the Saints with Callum Harris also striking for United to settle on a share of the points.

The only team to win in the division on Sunday after a day of draws were second placed Thames Ironworks Community as the East Ham scooped a terrific home win against Royal Lions A. Adam Hunt and Billy Scott braces paved the way with a Bradley Drisdale goal rounding things off. Kasbon Tokenge and Darren Smith-Wellington efforts accounted for Lions’ consolations.

There were a cracking game in Dagenham where Roneo Colts played host to Total Football on Sunday at Robert Clack, both teams still handily placed in the table. Total Football twice led by two with goals from Joe Johnson and Fahed Gani but Colts goals from James Smith (2) and Dwayne Francis-Riley were a match and the game eventually ended 3-3.

A draw was also the outcome in the fourth and final game which saw East London Harriers on the road to face Asianos in Walthamstow, the sides occupying sixth and eighth. That gap was the same by full time as a 2-2 draw was the outcome. Isa Hussain and Naeem Monsur netted for Asianos with Brandon Clarke and Jack Hurley on target for Harriers.

DIVISION THREE

Debden Sports Reserves have returned to the top of a very tight Division Three table as they took advantage of other sides being in county action by securing a solid 8-1 win on Sunday against Mayfield Kings. Jamie Rones was on fire with four goals, Jamie Wood scored twice and one apiece from Joseph Lane and George Bird ensured they flew to victory.

Despite an opening day reverse, Alpha have maintained a good start to their season and now sit third, taking their points tally to nine points following Sunday’s seven goal thriller 4-3 win against Inside Success. Troy Jules scored a hat-trick and Jason Grant got the other for Alpha but Success goals from Shemar Morris, Jason Banin and Halameen Agbaje made this a tight contest.

Monkhams are sitting handily placed in fifth in the standings and within firing distance of those above as they recorded a second league win on Sunday to take their points tally to eight. Dagenham Town were their opponents but two Samuel Griffin goals plus strikes from Callum Thomas and Brendon Shabani earned a 4-1 win.

DIVISION FOUR

In Division Four, Ainslie have opened the gap at the top to six points as they took advantage of sides around them being out of action by picking up a hard fought win at home against struggling Blackwall Rovers. Charlie Parry struck for Rovers with their goals but two Kailem Gayle goals made the difference as Ainslie won it 2-1.

Raphael Park Rovers have moved up to fourth in the standings as they also leaped above some sides not playing around them on the back of a big 7-1 away win at Titans United in Dagenham. Charlie Moore is a man in the goals at present and he struck four with Callum Nightingale coming off the bench to score twice and Jake Li netting the other to record a second league win.

Also moving into the top half of the table, Chingford Athletic Reserves picked up their own second win of the season on Sunday with a real thriller of a win against Romford Athletic Dons in Hainault. Adam Turner showed his outfield prowess with a hat-trick for Dons with Scott Buckland netting the other. But their efforts were just in vain in the end as Chingford struck five to win it 5-4.

DIVISION FIVE

In Division Five, there were two big wins for the sides in action where Custom House Community gained ground on the promotion chasing sides above by taking their third win of the season on Sunday, defeating Young Royals 6-1 in Beckton. A hat-trick of braces confirmed the win with Donte Laurent, Jack Field and Glenn Levy doing the damage to take the win.

Byron Red Star have moved up to fifth place in the standings as they scooped a big win of their own, running out 7-2 victors at home to Athletico City in Hornchurch. Clinton Amponsah and Temilolukia Akingbuwa netted for City but four Jordan Riches goals in reply plus goals from Dwayne Abaka-Wood, Perry Robinson and Ryan O’Connell earned Byron the win they wanted.

DIVISION SIX

In Division Six, the two sides at the top of the table met in Walthamstow where Mansfield Rangers were up against Royal Lions C with both sporting unbeaten records. That hadn’t changed by full-time where the sides shared the spoils in a 2-2 draw. Kemston Allen and Jay Kanber both struck for Rangers with their goals as they stay top for the time being.

Valence United Reserves have moved up to fourth place in the standings following Sunday’s fixtures after they confirmed a big win at home against Ping City Phoenixes. Andre Brazil and Ezra Waterman both scored for City but two Valence goals from Keenan Mitchell plus efforts from Krystus Coleman, Abubakar Garba, Ayomide Ibuola and Jack Sherwin confirmed a 7-2 win.

As games of football go, ten goal thrillers are rare but one was witnessed on Sunday between London Legacy and Epping Royals where a game that had twoed and froed saw the latter lead 5-4 late on only for Rommel Wilson to head in an equaliser late on to make it 5-5. That was one of two Legacy goals for him, adding to two Lucas Tavares long range efforts and one from Jordan Howe.

COUNTY CUP

In the Essex Junior Cup, Theydon Green will head into the next round of the competition after they picked up a hard fought 1-0 win on Sunday, ending Harlow Corinthia’s unbeaten start to the season to go through to a tie away at Woodham Athletic in the next round.

Also into the hat for the second round are FC Galaxy who put in a top performance at home against fellow Corinthian Division One side Barking on Sunday at Castle Green, winning the tie convincingly 5-1. They now head down the A13 in round two to take on Grays Athletic.

The third side from the league to make progress into the next round were Snaresbrook who made the trip to FC Mexico B, looking to avoid a slip up against lower division opposition. ‘Brook edged the game in a 3-2 scoreline to safely progress on to face Aveley Academicals next month.

The only side to make an exit against outside opposition were FC Mexico A as the Hainault side were up against Thurrock League side Grays Athletic. The visitors were winners on the day in a 3-1 scoreline to go through and end Mexican hopes of a county cup run.

There was a plethora of action in the Essex Junior Trophy and the result of the day went to United Borough who were in action against a side from two divisions above them with Windmill Warriors the visitors. Borough won 4-2 on the day to go through to home tie against Changing Lives.

There were some big wins for our sides with Dagenham Rangers hitting eight in their home clash against Grays Athletic Reserves, scooping a big 8-2 win against their Thurrock League opponents to progress to round two where they will now face Feering Village Reserves.

Goals were the order of the day at Goresbrook also as they eventually overcame Epping Forest Falcons to book their place in round two with a big 10-3 home win. The finalists from two years ago in this competition continue their run and will face Newhall Rangers Reserves next month.

For entertainment value, the tie between Division Four Lonsdale and Division Five Belfry Reserves looked like a cracker with the sides finishing at 4-4 at ninety minutes, then 6-6 after extra time. A lengthy shootout then saw Lonsdale come through 8-7 victors to head down to Southend to face Catholic United A in round two.

Ultimate Vision Reserves ensured their place in the next round of the competition as they defeated United Amateurs in a close game in Dagenham, running out winners by the odd goal in a 4-3 scoreline against their league rivals. Their reward is a trip down the A127 to Warley in the next round.

Singh Sabha Barking are also through having beaten Corinthian opposition, defeating Hillside at home in Newbury Park in a 5-3 scoreline. Singh Sabha’s victory sees them through to round two where they will host Rayleigh Reserves early next month.

It was a trip to Harlow on Sunday for Upshire Forest who returned victorious with a good 2-0 win against a previously unbeaten Harlow Manor side. They will head back to Harlow in the next round to take on Risden Wood Reserves.

Valence United’s excellent run of form at present extended into the county cup on Sunday as they saw off the efforts of Eastern Avenue in recording a 6-0 victory at the Flats. They are another side heading to Southend in round two to take on Leigh Rockets.

Another side to convert league form into cup wins is Higham Hill who put their league title tilt on hold for a week to host Royal Lions B on Sunday where Hill were victors in a 4-1 performance, setting up a round two clash at home against Brooklands Reserves.

Leytonstone Athletic are a side who could be challenging deep into this competition this year and they took their place in the second round on Sunday with a big home win against Ultimate Vision A, winning 6-0 to secure. They have a trip to Southend in November where they face unbeaten Earls Hall United Reserves.

There were two rearranged London Sunday Challenge Cup ties over the weekend where El Valiente were in Beckenham to take on Lambeth All Stars, the winners from two seasons ago. An eight goal contest saw El Valiente edged out, losing 5-3 to terminate their interest in the competition.

Over in Lewisham, United Dian were the visitors to take on SE Dons in a game of much interest and Dian took an early and deserved lead in the game. But they missed chances to extend that advantage and Dons eventually took a victory, winning 5-1 to progress on.